ACQUISITION OF Y-12IV AIRCRAFT TO SLAF
10:59pm on Saturday 17th June 2023
The SLAF processed the acquisition of two state-of-the-art Y-12IV aircraft, which were manufactured by Harbin Aviation Industry Co. Ltd. in China. This procurement was made possible through a contract signed on 16 December 2019 between the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government and the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation.
The official documents confirming the acceptance of the aircraft were signed last week. The ceremony took place in Beijing, China between Mr. Liu Chuan, the Director of the South Asia Department in China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation and Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, who represented on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government. Also, the event was attended by the Director General Aeronautical Engineering, Air Vice Marshal Ranjith Senanayake and other representatives from the SLAF.
The Y-12IV aircraft is a remarkable addition to the SLAF fleet. It is a Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft that serves as a versatile light transport aircraft. Equipped with a turboprop twin-engine, the Y-12IV has been designed and developed by HARBIN Aviation Industry Co. Ltd. in China. This particular model, an improved version of the Y-12, incorporates extended wing tips and an increased take-off weight, enhancing its performance capabilities.
The acquisition of these brand new Y-12IV aircraft highlights the SLAF commitment to enhancing its aerial capabilities and strengthening the fleet with cutting-edge technology. The addition of these aircraft will undoubtedly contribute to the SLAF operational readiness, enabling it to effectively fulfill diverse operations while serving the nation and promoting regional security.
The official documents confirming the acceptance of the aircraft were signed last week. The ceremony took place in Beijing, China between Mr. Liu Chuan, the Director of the South Asia Department in China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation and Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, who represented on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government. Also, the event was attended by the Director General Aeronautical Engineering, Air Vice Marshal Ranjith Senanayake and other representatives from the SLAF.
The Y-12IV aircraft is a remarkable addition to the SLAF fleet. It is a Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft that serves as a versatile light transport aircraft. Equipped with a turboprop twin-engine, the Y-12IV has been designed and developed by HARBIN Aviation Industry Co. Ltd. in China. This particular model, an improved version of the Y-12, incorporates extended wing tips and an increased take-off weight, enhancing its performance capabilities.
The acquisition of these brand new Y-12IV aircraft highlights the SLAF commitment to enhancing its aerial capabilities and strengthening the fleet with cutting-edge technology. The addition of these aircraft will undoubtedly contribute to the SLAF operational readiness, enabling it to effectively fulfill diverse operations while serving the nation and promoting regional security.
This acquisition marks a significant milestone in the modernization efforts of the Sri Lanka Air Force and reaffirms the dedication to maintaining a robust and technologically advanced aviation capability.
